Second annual EmpowHer to Run, moderated by Tanasia Morton, featuring Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, State Rep. Sylvia Santana, and Mayor Pro-Tem Nicole Brown.
The event brought together women in office to share with students why they feel it is import for more women to pursue careers in political office.
“Historically women have not been included in politics,” said co-creator of the event Tanasia Morton. “There are no better people to speak on “women issues” than women,” she said.
The speakers came from different backgrounds, and the different experiences they shared led to students to be inspired to unify with other women.
“I think women need to empower each other in all ways. It was refreshing to hear from women representatives telling us women to run and sharing their experiences of running,” said Candice Crutcher, EMU junior.
The officers shared their experience as mothers which led Crutcher to consider to complexity of balancing motherhood and holding political positions.
“It was empowering hearing both women with young children and women with grown children tell us we can run at any point. It made us not want to let anything stop us,” said Crutcher.
The students and political officers want to combat women holding substantially less political positions than men.
“More women should run to reconstruct the balance of power in our political system. We need to stop allowing men to decide what is best for us, especially when it comes to our health and finances,” said Deaundra Myers, EMU junior.
The trend of the panel was pro-women and pro women power. “Women can do anything,” said.Myers.
Bringing political officers together with students allowed them to see that college could lead to a life in politics.
“It was amazing to see a panel of women who have done amazing things in their positions and some of them started off right here at Eastern Michigan,” said Myers.